Winter Preparedness Reminders

County Residents Encouraged to Plan for Cold Weather Season

With the beginning of winter and colder weather, Fairfax County
encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe. The following are
many tips and reminders of how to stay safe during the winter weather
season.

Why Talk About Winter Weather?

Each year, injuries occur during winter due to exposure to the cold and
vehicle accidents, as well as dangerous use of heaters.

Threats such as hypothermia and frostbite can lead to dangerous
results.

A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by
high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and cold
temperatures

People can become trapped at home or in a car, without utilities or
other assistance.

Attempting to walk for help in a winter storm can be extremely
dangerous.

The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or
region for days, weeks or even months.

Cold Temperatures and Wind Chill

Wind chill indicates how cold people and animals feel while outside.
According to the National Weather Service, wind chill is not the actual
temperature but rather how the wind and cold feels on exposed skin based
on the rate of heat loss. As the wind increases, heat is carried away
from the body at a rapid pace, driving down skin temperature and
eventually the body’s internal temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it
feel much colder.

If you are going to be outside, the American Red Cross encourages you
to:

Dress appropriately. Air temperature does not have to be below freezing
for someone to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia and
frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when
temperatures are not that low.

Dress in layers to adjust to changing conditions. Avoid overdressing or
overexertion, which can lead to heat illness.

Wear a hat, preferably one covering your ears, because most body heat
is lost through your head.

Wear mittens as they provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite
by keeping your feet warm and dry, and to help maintain your footing in
ice and snow.

After coming inside, immediately get out of wet clothes and warm the
core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids such as hot cider
or soup. Avoid caffeine or alcohol in cases of hypothermia or
frostbite.

Frostbite and Hypothermia

According to the National Weather Service, frostbite is damage to body
tissue caused by extreme cold. A wind chill of minus 20 degrees
Fahrenheit will cause frostbite in just 30 minutes. Frostbite causes a
loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities, such as
fingers, toes, earlobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected,
get medical help immediately. If you must wait for help, slowly rewarm
affected areas. However, if the person is also showing signs of
hypothermia, warm the body core before the extremities.

Shoveling Snow

According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, shoveling
snow is hard on your body. Research has shown the energy used to shovel
snow is similar to playing singles tennis or speed walking at 5 mph. If
there is any reason that shoveling snow might be dangerous for you, such
as a heart condition, consult your doctor before shoveling.

Emergency Supply Kit

Because ice storms and blizzards can knock down power lines, freeze
water pipes and prevent you from traveling, county residents should be
sure to have a home emergency supply kit, including:

At least a three-day supply of food that won’t spoil.

One gallon of water per person, per day.

A battery-powered radio (people with hearing impairments should
consider signing up for the Community Emergency Alert Network at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean and obtaining a cell phone
with text messaging capacity).

A flashlight with extra batteries.

A First-aid kit.

An extra supply of prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

A plan for those with special needs who may need to come stay in your
home because they lost utilities from a storm. Those with special needs
could include the elderly, people with disabilities and the medically
frail.

People With Disabilities

People with disabilities also may want to take extra care during the
cold weather season. Some disabling conditions may limit sensory
abilities and the ability to maintain body heat, so be particularly
vigilant about staying warm when you are out in low temperatures. Wear
multiple layers of clothing, including a scarf around your neck, a winter
hat, lined boots and two pairs of socks. If possible, wear thermal gloves
underneath mittens to keep your hands warm. It’s also a good idea to
carry a cell phone.

If you travel in a wheelchair, wrap a small blanket around your legs,
tucking it underneath yourself or around your sides. This will help to
maintain body heat. Wheelchair users may consider purchasing pneumatic
tires for better traction. Another alternative is to use standard dirt
bicycle tires. Use table salt or clay cat litter to clear ramps – rock
salt can poison working assistance animals and also may be slippery.
Remove the tires from your wheelchair and shake debris and ice off them
before placing them in your vehicle. Wipe down any metal surfaces
(wheelchair tire rims, walkers, etc.) as soon as possible after returning
home. This will prevent rusting.

If you are a wheelchair user and unaccustomed to heavy, strenuous
wheeling, be very careful when traveling through snow. The added exertion
could lead to a heart attack or stroke. Freezing rain also will stick to
surfaces such as canes, walkers, forearm cuffs and wheelchairs. Use
gripper driving gloves to keep your hands warm and to prevent slipping.

If you use a working assistance dog, remember that dogs also can suffer
from hypothermia and frostbite. Get a dog coat to place under the
harness, and consider getting boots for the paws. Also, have a blanket in
your vehicle for the dog.

Home Heating

Fairfax County residents who face an emergency heating situation this
winter may be able to access assistance from a federally funded program
locally administered by the county’s Department of Family Services.

The Crisis Assistance program helps households in heating emergency
situations with primary heat security deposits and repair or replacement
of heating equipment. To apply for the Crisis Assistance Program, call
the Department of Family Services’ energy assistance phone line at
703-324-7604, TTY 703-222-9452, and ask for an application to be mailed
to you, or pick up an application at any of the department’s four
offices:

Fire Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the winter
holidays mean more cooking, home decorating, entertaining and an
increased risk of fire from heating equipment. The NFPA reports that
Christmas Day was the peak day of the year for home candle fires between
1999-2002, with New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve tied for second.

According to the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, during the 2004
winter heating period, there were 189 reported fires involving home
heating equipment, which resulted in eight deaths, six injuries, four
firefighter injuries and $3,435,035 in property loss in Virginia.

Smoke alarms are required by law and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Department also recommends having carbon monoxide alarms. Both alarms
should be checked monthly and cleaned, dusted and vacuumed on a regular
basis. Batteries should be replaced once every year, however lithium or
long-lasting batteries don’t need to be replaced but once every 10 years.
The alarms themselves should be replaced every 10 years.

It is recommended that there be at least one smoke alarm on every level
of the home. Smoke alarms should be placed near each sleeping area as
well as the basement. For individuals who are difficult to wake up, it
may be necessary to install an additional smoke alarm inside the bedroom.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recommends that residents
use products such as battery-operated or electric candles and
flashlights. If residents do elect to use open-flame candles, the
following safety measures are recommended:

Do not place candles near combustible materials such as upholstered
furniture.

Never leave children unattended in a room with an open flame.

Do not place candles on window ledges or near entryways – the potential
air draft can “fan” the flame, catching curtains or other materials on
fire.

Keep burning candles within sight at all times. Candles can present
fire hazards outdoors on decks and patios as well as inside the home.

Always extinguish candles before leaving the home.

Use holders designed for the particular candle style.

Place all candles on a protected, heat-resistant, dry surface away from
anything that can catch fire and out of the reach of children and pets.

Alternative Heating Source Safety

If families use alternative heating sources during the cold weather
(it’s a good idea to have one available in case the furnace fails), the
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recommends the following
precautions:

Be sure to allow proper ventilation and place it in a safe location
away from flammable objects. You should have at least 3 feet of
clearance between your alternative heat source and anything that could
burn.

Always turn off alternative heat sources before leaving or going to bed
and do not leave children or pets unattended around any heating source.
This includes extinguishing the embers in the fireplace – and never
leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace.

Use generators only as independent power sources. Keep them outside and
run a cord inside. Don’t connect generators to main service panels.
This could injure or kill utility workers trying to restore power.

Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace to avoid sparks from
flying out and igniting nearby objects and burn only clean wood.

The immediate area in front of a fireplace (approximately 3 feet)
should not have a rug, carpet or exposed wood flooring.

Allow enough clearance between a wood-burning stove and combustible
materials such as walls, floors and ceilings.

Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire.

Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering.

Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.

When lighting a gas fireplace, strike the match first, then turn on the
gas.

Burn only dry, seasoned wood and dispose of the cooled ashes in a
closed metal container outside of your home.

Don’t use an extension cord with a portable heater. The current from
the heater could melt the cord and cause a fire.

Make sure the room has proper ventilation before using a kerosene
heater.

Since a kerosene heater has a constant open flame, it should not be
used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays,
gasoline or any type of oil.

Do not use a fluid that is not recommended for your heater. Refuel
outside and only after the heater has cooled down.

Check the heater’s wick every couple of weeks during the heating
season. If the wick is dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

Freezing Pipes and Plumbing

Fairfax Water encourages residents to take the following preventative
actions to protect home plumbing:

Locate and mark the main water cutoff valve for your home. This cutoff
valve is usually found near where the waterline comes into your house.
Damage from running water can be minimized if you can turn off this
valve quickly.

Make sure the waterline to outside faucets is turned off and the line
is drained. Consider wrapping or insulating your water pipes,
especially those pipes near outside walls, under the house or in the
attic. Insulation supplies are available at local home improvement or
hardware stores.

Eliminate drafts. Check around the home for areas where water supply
lines are located in unheated areas and take measures to prevent the
flow of cold air in these areas. Look in the basement, crawl space,
attic, garage and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and
cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated. A hot water supply
line can freeze just as a cold water supply line can if water is not
running through the pipe and the water temperature becomes cold.

If a water pipe freezes, never try to thaw it with an open flame or
torch. You can use a hair dryer or portable heater, but always be
careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing
water.

If you will be away from your home, keep the thermostat at a reasonable
temperature to make sure all areas with water pipes are kept above
freezing.

If you suspect you have a frozen water meter, call Fairfax Water for
help. Service crews are available 24 hours a day and will respond as
soon as possible. You can reach Fairfax Water’s Customer Service
Department at 703-698-5800, TTY 711. After hours, the emergency number
is 703-698-5613, TTY 711. Additional information can be found at www.fairfaxwater.org.

If you are vacating your home because you have lost your heat source,
locate and turn off your main water cutoff valve. After the valve is
turned off, open a faucet on each level of your home to allow for
expansion should the undrained water freeze. If you are staying in your
home or will be monitoring your home frequently, allow a faucet to drip
cold water slowly. At a minimum, the dripping faucet should be the one
that is the greatest distance from your main water cutoff valve.
Consider allowing a slow drip in areas that are least protected from
the cold (basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages).

Clearing Snow and Debris

Residents and businesses can help alleviate potential flooding and
protect the environment this winter season by keeping the openings of
storm drains clear of snow and debris. Simple steps include:

Remove snow and debris, such as leaves, grass clippings, and trash from
the outside openings of storm drains.

Avoid piling snow in front of a storm drain.

Avoid blowing leaves and cut grass into the street, which may travel to
a storm drain in rain and melted snow.

Be sure to read labels to avoid overuse and misuse of fertilizer;
properly maintain cars to prevent oil leaks; and pick up pet waste and
dispose of it in a trash can. These pollutants may be collected by rain
and melted snow and travel to storm drains, which lead to streams, or
in some cases, first to a stormwater management facility and then a
stream.

If a storm drain opening is blocked, residents can remove the debris
from the outside opening. At no time, however, should a resident
attempt to enter a storm drain to remove debris. Residents can also
call Fairfax County Stormwater Management, 703-934-2800, TTY 711, or
the Virginia Department of Transportation at 703-383-8368, TTY 711, to
report a blocked storm drain. Property owners, however, are responsible
for driveway culverts and bridges that are part of the driveway
structure and are not public storm drainage system structures. Storm
drains outside rights-of-way and easements are privately maintained by
the property owner. For more information about storm drainage and
stormwater facilities, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/navbar/faqs/stormdrainage.htm.
For more information about protecting and restoring streams, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/stormwater/.

Road Safety

According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, residents
also should prepare for cold weather when traveling. Here are some road
safety tips:

Tell someone (a friend, relative or co-worker) you are taking a trip,
where you are going, the routes you will travel and when you expect to
arrive.

Don’t get on the road without a winter travel survival kit. Your kit
should include items such as a cell phone, blankets or sleeping bags,
water, high-calorie foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking,
a flashlight with extra batteries and a first-aid kit.

If your vehicle breaks down, pull as far off the road as possible. Your
greatest personal danger at this point is being hit by passing cars.

Stay in the car if visibility is poor. You may become disoriented and
lost while wandering in a snowstorm, making it more difficult for
rescuers to find you. If you have a cell phone, call for help.

Pet Safety

Pets should be kept indoors during winter months. If a pet is outdoors
it must be provided with shelter. The pet’s house should be elevated off
the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind
to keep out winter winds, sleet and snow. Shelters should be insulated or
heated. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept
outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm
area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.

Dogs lose their sense of smell in the cold, so don’t let them off their
leash or they may get lost.

Snow and salt should be removed from pets’ paws immediately.
Frostbitten skin is red or gray. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out
frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your
veterinarian as soon as possible for further care.

Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm so feed your pet a
little more during cold winter months. Be sure your pet’s water doesn’t
freeze while outdoors by using a heated water source.

Cats, house pets and wildlife may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth
during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting
your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter
inside.

Ice Safety

Ice skating on county ponds, lakes and retention ponds is prohibited for
safety reasons. Due to fluctuating temperatures, it is not safe to
venture on any ice-covered lake, stream or stormwater retention pond.
Even if the ice is a foot thick in one area, it can be 1-inch thick just
a few yards away.

It’s impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance,
thickness, daily temperature or snow cover alone. Ice strength is
actually dependent on all four factors, plus water depth under the ice,
the size of the body of water, water chemistry, currents and distribution
of the load on the ice.

If you fall through the ice, don’t panic. If there is someone with you,
have them lie down on the ice to distribute weight over a wider area and
pass you the end of a branch, rope, belt, coat sleeve or whatever is
available to help pull you onto the ice, where you can roll or wiggle to
safety. Several people can form a human chain with the lightest person
reaching out to you. If you’re alone, get your arms onto the ice and kick
hard with your feet to help lift you onto the ice, then roll to safety.

Holiday Safety Reminders

The holiday season is a time of joy for many; nevertheless residents are
encouraged to take extra precautions. Be extra vigilant during the
holiday season and keep the following tips in mind.

Personal Safety When Shopping

Avoid shopping alone.

Carry keys, cash and credit cards separate from each other and
constantly pay attention to your surroundings.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and if possible, avoid carrying a
purse. Use a fanny pack or deep pockets in clothing to carry what you
need. Limit the number of credit cards that you carry. If you have to
carry a purse, carry it close to your body and always zipped or
snapped.

Be aware of strangers “accidentally” bumping into you. Pick pockets use
this as a diversion.

Leave the mall/store well before closing time. This way, there is a
greater assurance you will walk out with other people. There is safety
in numbers.

Home Safety

Do not leave the boxes of your Christmas gifts (such as computers,
televisions, etc.) at the curb as this advertises the contents of your
home to potential thieves.

If you order gifts to be delivered to your home, ensure someone is
there to accept the package. Have a trusted neighbor keep a lookout for
the packages.

If you go out of town for the holidays, make sure you ask a trusted
neighbor, friend or family member to check the house at lease once a
day and pick up mail and newspapers. Provide your contact number in
case of emergency.

Keep garage doors closed and be sure the door from the garage into the
home is secured.

Make sure your home address is not showing on your luggage.

Do not leave the boxes of your Christmas gifts (such as computers,
televisions, etc.) at the curb as this advertises the contents of your
home to potential thieves.

If you order gifts to be delivered to your home, ensure someone is
there to accept the package. Have a trusted neighbor keep a lookout for
the packages.

If you go out of town for the holidays, make sure you ask a trusted
neighbor, friend or family member to check the house at lease once a
day and pick up mail and newspapers. Provide your contact number in
case of emergency.

Keep garage doors closed and be sure the door from the garage into the
home is secured.

Make sure your home address is not showing on your luggage.

For more holiday safety tips from the Fairfax County Police Department,
please visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police, or call
703-246-2253, TTY 703-204-2264.

Additional Information and Resources

In cases of extreme weather, Fairfax County residents concerned about
the safety or well-being of children, elderly adults or adults with
disabilities can contact Fairfax County Child Protective Services at
703-324-7400, TTY 711, or Adult Protective Services at 703-324-7450, TTY
711. Information from Fairfax Water can be found at www.fairfaxwater.org. Fire safety
information is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire. Winter safety reminders from
the Health Department are online at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/hdpdf/winter.pdf.

Further information is available on Fairfax County’s emergency
information page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency as well as the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Web page at www.vaemergency.com. Residents also
may call the Fairfax County Government Emergency Information Line, which
is available 24 hours a day with recorded information, 703-817-7771, TTY
711.

###

To request this information in an alternate format, call the Office of
Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.